Paradise II

Well, we are as far south and east as we will go. The trip home has began ... no more 80+ days. We had dinner at Cagney's ... we were the only two people in the restaurant with the undivided attention of the waiter. The food was out of this world. We have mainly done tours of the islands on this cruise. Every one of these has been great and we have learned a lot. The eastern coastline of Barbados is unbelievable. The panoramic views would make any home out of sight. However, swimming is dangerous, strong rip currents, as there is nothing between you and the west coast of Africa. We can't count the close calls as the buses took us about the islands. Something about a bus making hair-pin turns on a road barely larger than a single lane. Add the drop-off to the ocean one one side and there are a lot of gasps and white knuckles. Our tour guides are very informed and answered almost every question. Wild Mom can never come to Virginia as she has managed to buy a new purse at every port. She is becoming the ultimate bag lady. Talk about cheap booze on shore ... how about $10 for a fifth of Jack Daniels Black label. #1 would be in trouble. The ships entertainment is awesome ... last night Joe Yanetty kept us in stitches as he rattle off the jokes in rapid fire. The juggler made us wonder how he could do whet he did. Today has been a very lazy sea day as all we have done is eat, sleep on the deck chairs and shopped. I think Lady is now a medium rare color. "Stick the fork in ... she's done." Looks like our tour next cruise may change as we sat through several different briefings. They have a new cruise with two ports we haven't been too (Costa Maya and San Tomas) and two ports we really like (Cozumel and Belize). It is that or do the same one we just did and instead of tours ... do our own thing. So it looks like January 10, 2010 is the date. We keep joking about what it would be like with AJ, Lew, and Lil Princess. It seems the big kids have to work too much.

To nights dinner is at Tango's ... we will have our first Mexican food in quite a while. Then it is off to the Cats Pajamas show.

Paradise I

Well, can you believe it ... our cruise is almost halfway completed. The departure was completed with no complications ... well ... except for the power chair people with their turbojet chairs. One lady almost ran over a baby in a stroller. Obviously she needed the extra time crossing the last 150 feet to get on the ship. Our room wasn't ready so we ate lunch first ... our first 90 minute meal of the cruise. It was good and just what we expected. Saturday and Sunday were sea days as we headed south into the 85+ degree weather. Lady and I did a couples massage and it was great. Those hot rocks have a way of completely relaxing you. Usually it takes five minutes to get back in the swing of life after one of those. We even got a flash show on deck by a couple of drunk ladies. They decided to drop their tops and dance and jiggle around. Luckily the sober one prevailed before they dropped their bottoms. Our first excursion was at Samana, Dominican Republic. This place is definitely one of the poorer stops on our trip ... much like Roatan was. Lots of pictures as we toured the island. Funny part was it rained on us for the first part of the tour. The bus driver had only one setting on the bus air conditioner. Max Cold or off. We actually turned it off so we could feel the heat. Even in paradise people manage to bitch and complain. Lady wanted to slap one old man who gripped the complete time about things that really didn't matter. Oh well! Sunday nights entertainment was great as we watch a show performed by Second City TV (SCTV). The were hilarious and will have several other shows later on the cruise. Monday was spent on Tortola BVI. We had been here before so we knew a lot but we did still manage to learn more. I went crazy and snapped 60+ pictures. It was 86 degrees and that made the open air bus great and the quick rain showers were nice. Monday nights show was done by a group called "Cats Pajamas." Let me tell you ... they were good. I bought a DVD and CD of their performances. A "must see" if they ever come your way. Today is St Johns, Antigua. Lady will try out the new Bikini and hopefully I will not go crazy. If not there is a lot of water around to cool off in.

Wild Mom is doing fine. Just having a bit of trouble getting her out of the late night karaoke bars. We are having a blast. There have been a few changes to the way they do things but for the most part we love being pampered and spoiled.

Day 3 of Bill and Ronda's Most Excellent Adventure

Well, we made it to Ft. Lauderdale where we suffered through a 66 degree day. For a good part of the afternoon we rode with the van windows down. The fresh air was great. I don't know what we will do when it is 85. The ride down was very nice and very uneventful. I love them "Hands-Free" Rest areas in Florida. I go into the bathroom and some munchkin is there to whip it out for me. Then when I am finished he wipes and washes it down. WooHoo! What a Country. Tonight's dinner was at "Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company." The food was good but you would never figure out the theme of the place. We did manage to take a drive down A1a and see the ocean. The restaurant was right across the street from the ocean, so we watched the boats in the bay as we ate. Tomorrow should be another lazy day as we have a 30 minute drive and have to be at the ship by 4 pm. Wild Mom will be in the neighborhood about noon time. We figured out that her suitcase weighs 44 pounds ... why that leaves her room for the kitchen sink. This time tomorrow night we will be headed south. We downloaded some 360 pictures from Lady's camera tonight in an effort to get it ready for the cruise. The pictures ranged from AJ's first few days to just before we left on this trip. Of course we laughed and commented about them. Like the pictures of Peanut showed her with three different colors of hair. We even managed to get one of #1 wearing a losing football team's stocking cap. That makes the time frame from May 08 till January 09.

Driving the van the last couple of days has brought about numerous memories of the time we had our 1983 Dodge conversion van. We drove that van across the United States several times while we were stationed in California. Of course at that time #1 was a brat and #2 still in diapers. Hmmm, what has changed?

Starr is fine settling into her new place. The animals (pup and cat) will soon join her. The cruise bug has bit her as her and Dave now want to try out their first cruise before long.

All is well in Virginia ... at least the Police hasn't tracked us down yet.

Our Itinerary

With luck this is where we will be and there will be more on what shore excursions we will be doing later after we decide.

Depart -- Miami, Fl. -- 1600 -- 01/23/09

Arrive -- Samana, Dominican Republic -- 1000 -- 01/25/09

Arrive -- Tortola, British Virgin Islands -- 1000 -- 01/26/09

Arrive -- St. John's, Antigua -- 0800 -- 01/27/09

Arrive -- Bridgetown, Barbados -- 0900 -- 01/28/09

Arrive -- St. Lucia, Saint Lucia -- 0800 -- 01/29/09

Arrive -- Miami, Fl. -- 0800 -- 02/01/09

Arrive -- Home -- 02/03/09

Day One and Two of Bill's Most Excellent Adventure!

Well, we are on the road and heading south to catch the slow boat (Norwegian Jewel) to the Caribbean. The best part of this time is that I don't have to work. That is the last time I mention work until after February 3rd. We spent the first night (Tuesday) in Fayetteville NC. The day was uneventful except for a lot of laughing and having fun. North Carolina had several inches of snow and but the roads were in good shape for us and we just passed through. We did see several trucks in the ditches and woods and one very large boat in the median of the interstate highway. We still haven't figured out that one. Having dual DVD players in the van is nice. Yes we are old ... we watched "The King and I." We are spending the second night (Wednesday) in St. Augustine Fla. Everywhere we look we see water and seem to be traveling on bridge after bridge. Right now we are adjusting to the warm air ... 51 and tomorrow it is projected to be 62. Time for the shorts and light shirts. We don't know what we will do when it gets to 85 in the Southern Caribbean. Not! This trip is a lot different than last year when the group was 10 people. This year we have 6 people going. Sometimes it is really nice not being a tour guide. But at the same time, I do miss certain people. I did catch myself a few times just zoning out the window with my mind miles away. Lady is enjoying herself as she spent a good part of the day watching DVDs, talking, and sleeping. The stress level of the last few days is melting away slowly and I think it will be gone by Friday Morning. I tried to relieve some of it with a Root Beer Float for dessert tonight.

We are thinking of stopping by the Space Center when we return and do a little sightseeing there.

If you feel the need to call me ... call by 5 pm on Friday because after that the cellphones will be turned off and stored in the room safe until February 1st.

Well, I shall get out of here and get some sleep.

T minus 1 and Counting

Well, I can feel the warm breezes and smell the ocean air in my mind as the day is fast approaching. Tuesday is departure day and we head for Miami and the ship. After a year of waiting, it is finally time. Wild Mom is doing fine and doing that last minute packing of things she forgot to pack weeks ago. She is also happy that some old time friends are moving back into the area. Her Christmas care package finally arrived and I believe everything warmed her heart. Lady is almost ready for the trip. The essential tax stuff has been done and tomorrow she will run the payroll for this period and she will be done. Tonight will be our main packing night though a few things have been already packed or at least stacked on the dresser in preparation. I think we are all looking forward to this time as the craziness and stress of life and work has taken its toll. Though you may not know it ... but I am very proud of Lady and everything she does. I can't help but be in love with her. If you could have only met the young Lady I met back in 1974, then you would know how much she has changed. I know my life would have not been the same and most likely I would have not succeeded as I have. I think it is so great to have such a super mom and great wife. Two ladies that make my life so much more special. At least for me that is true. It seems the engineering department at work has been on 12+ hour days since mid-November. Hopefully, things will smooth out before long and we can enjoy all the work we have put into this station.

The weekend was on par with every other weekend. Dinner on Friday night, Mexican Food on Saturday and then Church and Bowling on Sunday. I guess we are creatures of habit. But we enjoy these times and each other and our friends. Add the grand kids to the mix and we have many memories to fill our mind. Lew is growing like a weed and becoming so independent and sure of what "he wants." Lil Princess is a blast though her personality is starting to seep out. She will definitely give her brother a hand full. AJ will hold his own. Not long till he starts to walk as he is starting to stand and let go. Though he only stays up a few seconds ... his confidence grows and before you know it ... Peanut is working and wishing for more free time. We are proud of her hanging in there. Just think ... only 45 more years of working! #1 and #2 are still looking for that ever elusive job.

Starr is doing fine and looks like they will have a new place to live this week. The new puppy is a surprise ... I thought training and handling Dave would be enough ... now she takes on the "PUP."

I am nearing the completion of my New Years Resolution. Only a few more to contact or at least attempt to contact. My biggest regret is the time I let pass in some relationships. I can never reclaim it and only hope to make the remaining time exciting.

Guess I get to root for the Pittsburgh Steelers. At least I get to dust off my Terrible Towel and wave it some.

T minus 9 and Counting

Well, we are a week past the start of the project changeover and we are just getting started. The equipment was ready but all the other parts weren't. Now the big question is ... will it be done before I leave for the Islands. A week from Wednesday is the big day ... Cruise. That fact is now settling in and we are all getting excited. It is almost here. Bowling went well with the Sunday Night team winning 7-0 on last night's position round. That should move us up a bit. The Youth league resumed for it's last 11 weeks of the season. We finished third in the first half of the season. Hopefully, we will improve and move up. Wild Mom is going great and starting her packing ... well, she moved the suitcase to the spare bed so she could fill it up. I advised her to not use the shovel to load her clothes. The dog has a kennel to stay at now while Wild Mom is gone. I have heard that her friends, who moved to Alabama, are moving back. See! No one can stand to stay, much less live, in Alabama very long. The same birdie also said she is contemplating a trip to Germany. Remember, Germany is like Alabama ... it is somewhere you can't stay for long. Lady is busy ... getting the taxes done at work and trying to get ahead before she leaves. We haven't started packing yet but will do so soon. #1 celebrated his birthday Sunday. He bowled good in the morning but like most aging people ... he slowed down that evening and being the kind loving person I am ... I gave him another bowling lesson. Still no job (just like #2) but we can always hope. Speaking of #2, not much to say as we don't see him a lot between friends and computers. He has been so busy he missed the trash pickup this morning. Poor baby! AJ continues to train Peanut. He is so animated and does he ever scoot across the floor. His crawling speed has really increased. Nothing is sacred. I haven't figured out where he learned it ... but he will sit there on the floor, get red faced, and then break wind ... followed by a smile. #1? Peanut? Lew and Lil Princess are great. Lew presses the boundaries with us like any 5 year old would. Lil Princess is so cute in her new pink jacket and pigtails (2). She will chat with you though the words are from a faraway land. Starr is doing well and hoping for a break. She has run out of matches so her fire stuff is on hold. We survived Christmas this year without her and we hope that won't happen again. I have done a fair portion of my New Years resolution but I still have a ways to go.

I am amazed that after almost a year how much drama gets generated over such small things. I know some people are unhappy about not being mentioned here but I just can't write about them if there is no contact. Most everything I write about is experienced first hand and I am comfortable writing about. As for Wild Mom and Starr, I am in contact on a regular basis with them and love writing about them. Simple solution: talk to me.

Who wants to cruise next summer? We are contemplating a Lighthouse cruise up the East Coast of the United States leaving from Philly.

2009 #1

Well, it is the first weekend of the new year and I sit here at work. What a great omen for the new year. I did manage to get breakfast in before heading down here. Doing nicely on my new years resolution ... I am not finished but well on the way to being finished. Dinner with our friends Friday night was a blast though since they were Alabama fans the night ended on a down note as the Utes ended their dreams. No youth bowling today as we are in between seasons but it all starts up next weekend. Yesterday we celebrated #2's birthday at El Agave Restaurant. Today I think we are celebrating #1's birthday ... provided I get out of here soon. Having three grand kids on Saturday is quite a chore. AJ pinched his finger in one of his new toys ... earning that toy a timeout until AJ is bigger. Lil Princess wore herself out playing and fell asleep in my arms. Snacks, Popsicles, wrestling and playing around all conspired to where her and AJ out. Lew was his usual self ... enough said. Lady went to Home depot and picked up the lumber for a special project ... a subtle hint for me to get busy. We need to get it down before early March. I have this suspicion that Wild Mom will drop in for a spell on her way to Las Vegas. We took sometime the other night to look at shore excursions for the upcoming cruise. The excitement is starting to build now that it is only 17 days till we head south. Life is tough in Kennesaw for Star. Hopefully this week she will start her new job and that will help relieve a lot of stress and worry. If not I guess a major league virtual hug will help. <<>> lady was happy today, Lil Princess hair is just long enough for a pony tail. Add the berets and she was a living doll. I remember a time when .... oh well, back to reality. I heard from an old friend yesterday. He had sort of dropped off the face of the earth the last few months ... but he is back. Maybe now I will get my truck ride in the big rig. Anyone tired of football yet?